Free Dental Work for Those Who Can’t Afford It

Westside Compassion, the traveling health-care unit, is returning to Hillsboro in July to provide what will be its second annual free dental work, optical, medical and social services to those who otherwise have no access to such services.

Here’s what will be provided: Basic dental cleaning and emergency dental treatment; basic chiropractic services; basic eye examinations; seminars on legal and social counseling; social services and children’s activities. Interpreters will be available in many languages including Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish.

It’s not a surprise that the need for anti-poverty programs in New Jersey is growing during the current New Jersey economic crises. But the increasing need is becoming disturbing indeed.

In 2008, Eva’s Village served 120,777 hot, nutritious lunches, an increase of 7.3% over the same time period in 2007. More recently, over 400 people were served in one day where previously, the need averaged 260.

Eva’s Village Free Medical and Dental Care Clinic in New Jersey is also noticing an increase in those seeking medical and free dental work at its free clinic.

NEW YORK – The free dental clinic at the Yung Wing Elementary School located in New York City’s Chinatown will close down at the end of June.

In total, 44 clinics –- both city-run healthcare centers and community clinics — will close their doors as a result of the city’s budget cuts, reports the Sing Tao Daily. According to the newspaper, the Chinatown clinic is part of the city’s “free dental work” program, which has been around for 105 years.
Some 17,000 children got free dental work each year in all 44 clinics.

Charles Pellicane, the only dentist at the Chinatown clinic, said, “I’m in my 70s, and can retire after the clinic is closed, but how about these kids? Where can they go to get free dental work?”

Dental program offering free dental work returning

A program offering free dental work to adults in the county is returning to the Alleghany High School gymnasium for the second time this year.

The second-annual free dental clinic, sponsored by Alleghany CARES (Christians Associated for Relief and Emergency Services), will be held June 12 and 13 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The dentists come to the area through N.C. Missions of Mercy, an Alamance County-based charity that offers short-term clinics in several areas.

The clinic offers free dental work such as fillings, extractions and cleanings to those age 18 and over who have no dental insurance and fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that means total earnings of less than $44,100.

Comments

I need help with my mother’s dental work. I reside in Reseda, California, 91335. My mother is 79 yrs old disabled, low income, she get’s only $840.00 per month to live. She recently lost two upper teeth, now her partials won’t even hold. We were told that it would cost in the thousands just for a crowns. She only has a few remaining teeth left and wants to have them removed so she can wear the upper dentures. They are saying that if they find good teeth they recommend not to remove them. She is so tired and broke about all this dental situation. I understand too, I been going through the same, and spent thousands in my mouth. I dont have dental insurance as well. Pls advice